Welsh Liberal Democrats

Kirsty Williams calls for an anti-extremism strategy in Wales

Wales needs its own anti-extremism strategy, the Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats Kirsty Williams said today in the Welsh Assembly.

This follows the news that two men from Cardiff appeared in an apparent recruitment video for Jihadists in Iraq and Syria.

Two years ago the Wales CONTEST Board recognised that there were particular issues relating to increases in incidences of radicalisation here in Cardiff. In the chamber today, Kirsty Williams challenged the Welsh Government on what it had done since the specific problem in Cardiff was identified.

K irsty Williams AM said:

"We have a proud record as a nation as a tolerant and open society that has long embraced other cultures and faiths. However, clearly Wales is not immune from the threats posed by extremism and radicalisation.

"Two years ago the Wales CONTEST Board recognised that there were particular issues relating to increases in incidences of radicalisation here in Cardiff. The people of Wales need to know what exactly the Welsh Government has done to tackle these issues.

"Last year, the UK Government set up the Tackling Extremism and Radicalisation Task Force to look into the issue. While this is welcome, this should be backed by a specific Welsh anti-extremism strategy to ensure that our communities remains safe.

"People will of course be very worried and upset that men who have grown up here in Wales have resorted to joining extreme and dangerous groups. Not only do we need to remember that these men are very much in a minority, but we must also look at the potential causes that have led them to take these drastic measures."